Math Problem Statement

(-5+x)y'' + (1+4x)y' +3y = 0, y(0) = 3, y'(0)=4

Assuming the solution can be represented by a power series

y=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_nx^n

Find the first and second derivatives of y.

y' = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}na_nx^(n-1)

y'' = \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_nx^(n-2)

\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}\left(-5+x\right)n\left(n-1\right)a_nx^{n-2} + \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}na_nx^(n-1)+4na_nx^2 + \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}-3a_nx^n = 0

After shifting the summation indices to start from the same values and have the same exponent of x, combine the summations into a single summation.

\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} -5(n+2)(n+1)a_(n+2)+(n+1)^2a_(n+1)+(4n+3)a_n x^n=0

Given that if a power series is zero for all x, all its coefficients must be zero, find a recursive formula for the solution.

a_(n+2) = ? a_(n+1) + ? a_n

Solution

We are tasked with finding the recursive formula for the coefficients ana_n in the power series solution. Let’s work through this step by step.


Given:

The differential equation after combining summations becomes:

n=0[5(n+2)(n+1)an+2+(n+1)2an+1+(4n+3)an]xn=0.\sum_{n=0}^\infty \left[ -5(n+2)(n+1)a_{n+2} + (n+1)^2a_{n+1} + (4n + 3)a_n \right]x^n = 0.

Since the power series equals zero for all xx, the coefficients of each power of xnx^n must be zero. Therefore:

5(n+2)(n+1)an+2+(n+1)2an+1+(4n+3)an=0.-5(n+2)(n+1)a_{n+2} + (n+1)^2a_{n+1} + (4n + 3)a_n = 0.


Rearrange for an+2a_{n+2}:

To express an+2a_{n+2} in terms of an+1a_{n+1} and ana_n, solve for an+2a_{n+2}:

5(n+2)(n+1)an+2=(n+1)2an+1(4n+3)an.-5(n+2)(n+1)a_{n+2} = -(n+1)^2a_{n+1} - (4n + 3)a_n.

Divide through by 5(n+2)(n+1)-5(n+2)(n+1):

an+2=(n+1)2an+1+(4n+3)an5(n+2)(n+1).a_{n+2} = \frac{(n+1)^2a_{n+1} + (4n + 3)a_n}{5(n+2)(n+1)}.


Recursive Formula:

The recursive formula is:

an+2=(n+1)25(n+2)(n+1)an+1+4n+35(n+2)(n+1)an.a_{n+2} = \frac{(n+1)^2}{5(n+2)(n+1)}a_{n+1} + \frac{4n + 3}{5(n+2)(n+1)}a_n.


Initial Conditions:

From y(0)=3y(0) = 3 and y(0)=4y'(0) = 4:

  • a0=3a_0 = 3,
  • a1=4a_1 = 4.

You can now compute higher-order terms iteratively using the recurrence relation.


Would you like me to compute specific terms (a2,a3,a_2, a_3, \dots) or explore further properties of this solution?


Related Questions:

  1. What are the first four terms of the series solution?
  2. How does the recurrence relation help determine the behavior of the solution for large nn?
  3. What is the radius of convergence of this power series?
  4. How do the initial conditions affect the final solution?
  5. How does the solution behave near x=0x = 0?

Tip:

When working with recurrence relations, always double-check the coefficients in front of an+2,an+1,a_{n+2}, a_{n+1}, and ana_n for correctness, as small errors propagate during iterative computation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Differential Equations
Power Series Solutions
Recurrence Relations

Formulas

y = ∑a_nx^n
y' = ∑n*a_nx^(n-1)
y'' = ∑n(n-1)a_nx^(n-2)
a_(n+2) = [(n+1)^2*a_(n+1) + (4n+3)*a_n] / [5(n+2)(n+1)]

Theorems

If a power series equals zero for all x, all its coefficients must be zero.

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate (Calculus II or III)